Emergency planning

Local News

Fire preparedness exercises to take place this week across La Plata County

includes emergency operation activation, power shutdown drill

May 5, 2026

Local News

La Plata County’s Fire Ready Expo planned for May

Attendees can expect panels on new code, power shutoffs and family-friendly games

April 27, 2026

Local News

Meet Ready Freddy, La Plata County’s new emergency management mascot

stoplight was cooked up in a bid to encourage fire preparedness

April 17, 2026

Local News

La Plata County upgrades emergency notification system

Residents enrolled in CodeRED will be automatically registered for new alert program

April 14, 2026

Local News

Durango police, fire agencies to use drones as first responders

Unpiloted aerial vehicles are a boon to emergency operations, agencies say

March 26, 2026

Local News

911 technology in Durango is going digital

Emergency communications director says AI isn’t replacing dispatchers any time soon

March 12, 2026

Local News

911 call center agreement thaws chilly Durango-La Plata County relations

follows months of tension between the two governments over dispatch services and jail use

March 8, 2026

Local News

Radio map could improve communication, safety for backcountry travelers

Frequencies assigned to different zones being used in San Juan Mountains

February 4, 2026

Local News

Flood response highlights La Plata County’s emergency preparedness

Officials credit planning, drills and new tech for swift action

November 29, 2025

Local News

Firefighters memorialized outside Durango Fire Protection District station

downtown station on display at open house on Saturday

November 15, 2025

Local News

‘Still a long way to go’ on 911 negotiations between Durango and La Plata County

manager concerned agreement won’t be reached before budget year begins

September 7, 2025

Associated Press

After Trump and Congress spending cuts, public media stations wait on money for emergency alerts

FILE – An emergency alert is displayed on a cellphone, Oct. 30, 2020, in Rio Rancho, N.M. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya…

August 25, 2025

Local News

911 service fully restored in La Plata County following outage

were temporarily routed to administrative line

July 8, 2025

Local News

Plane crashes are rare, but Durango airport firefighting team is always ready

crew adds $1 million vehicle to fleet amid ongoing safety upgrades

April 16, 2025

Local News

La Plata County urges residents to register for emergency notifications before wildfire drill

of evacuation alert system set for Monday during annual exercise

April 14, 2025

Local News

After L.A., demand for wildfire risk assessments surge

La Plata County homeowners take steps to defend homes from wildfires

March 10, 2025

Local News

Durango appoints new 911 dispatch director

Emergency communications center earns public safety accreditation

August 7, 2024

Local News

Emergency workers simulate plane crash at Durango airport

70 volunteers dress in gory makeup: ‘Anything we can do to ... make it more realistic’

April 19, 2024

Local News

Hundred Club of Durango celebrates 49 years

of 1974 fire victim shows support for community group

November 22, 2023

Local News

Wildfire evacuation drill grows in third year

Residents in five subdivisions practiced leaving homes in an emergency situation

April 28, 2023

Local News

What to expect from an above-average spring runoff

reservoirs are likely to fill; meanwhile, rapid snowmelt could result in flooding

April 7, 2023

Regional News

Is Colorado using the right weather words when it’s time for an ‘alerta’?

Studies show language used to issue warnings may not be strong enough in Spanish or in English

October 4, 2022

Local News

San Juan County Emergency Management to conduct drill

for major first responder presence Wednesday in Farmington

October 3, 2022

Local News

Team to row 3,000 miles to raise awareness about mental health for first responders

Farmington-based Guardian Initiatives jumps aboard Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

August 30, 2022